How to Improve your local ranking on Google?

I have collated points from Google on how to improve local rankings on Google.

When someone searches for a business or place near their location, they’ll find local results across Google, in places like Maps and Search. For example, you can probably find local results if you search for “Italian restaurant” on your mobile device. Google will try to show you the kind of nearby restaurant that you’d like to visit.

Check out the below video by Google on way to improve your local ranking on Google: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI_o6TmPiAo

Update your business info for better visibility

You may find that your business doesn’t show up for relevant searches in your area. To maximize how often users find your business in local search results, ensure that your business information in Google My Business is accurate, complete, and engaging.

Enter complete data

Local results favor the most relevant results for each search. Businesses with complete and accurate information are easier to match with the right searches.

Important: Make sure you keep your information up to date as your business changes.

Make sure you’ve entered complete business information in Google My Business, so users know what you do, where you are, and when they can visit. Provide information like, but not limited to, your:

1. Physical address
2. Phone number
3. Category
4. Attributes

Check out to know how to edit your business profile on Google

Verify your locations

Verify your business locations so they’re more likely to show in local search results across Google products, like Maps and Search.

Check out to know how to add/claim your business on Google My Business

Keep your hours accurate

Update your business hours regularly, including when you open and close, and special hours for holidays and events. Accurate hours info lets shoppers know when you’re available and gives them confidence that your business will be open when they arrive.

Check out to know how to set Special Hours

Manage & respond to reviews

Respond to reviews that users leave about your business. When you reply to reviews, it shows that you value your customers and their feedback. High-quality, positive reviews from your customers can improve your business visibility and increase the likelihood that a shopper will visit your location.

Add Photos

To showcase your goods and services, and to tell the story of your business, add photos to your Business Profile. Accurate and appealing pictures may also show shoppers that your business offers what they’re searching for. Learn how to add photos or videos to your Business Profiles.

How does Google determine local ranking?

Local results are based primarily on relevance, distance, and prominence. A combination of these factors helps Google find the best match for your search.

Relevance

Relevance refers to how well a local Business Profile matches what someone is searching for. Add complete and detailed business information to help Google better understand your business and match your profile to relevant searches.

Distance

Distance considers how far each potential search result is from the location term used in a search. If a user doesn't specify a location in their search, we’ll calculate the distance based on what we do know about their location.

Prominence

Prominence refers to how well-known a business is. Some places are more prominent in the offline world, and search results try to reflect this in local ranking. For example, famous museums, landmark hotels, or well-known store brands are also likely to be prominent in local search results.

Prominence is also based on information that Google has about a business, from across the web, like links, articles, and directories. Google review count and review score factor into local search ranking. More reviews and positive ratings can improve your business’s local ranking.

How to create a link for customers to write reviews?

You can share your short URL with customers from your computer’s Google My Business dashboard or on the mobile app. Through your short URL, Customers can leave reviews and view your Business Profile.

All businesses who have claimed their short name in Google My Business can have a shareable short URL that directs customers to leave reviews.

Share your short URL with customers for reviews

Computer

1. On your computer, sign in to Google My Business. If you have multiple locations, open the location you want to manage.
2. In the left menu, click Home.
3. In the “Get more reviews” card, you can copy your short URL to share with customers.

Mobile

1. On your mobile device, open the Google My Business app. If you have multiple locations, open the location you want to manage.
2. Tap Customers ?Reviews.
3. In the top right, tap Share. If you haven’t created a short name, you’ll be prompted to make one.
4. Copy your short URL to share with customers.

When customers click your link, they can rate your business and leave a review.

How to read and reply to reviews?

Customers can leave reviews of your business. Reviews from your customers can provide valuable feedback for your business. You can reply to reviews, which can help build customer trust.

Check out the below video by Google on how to reply to a review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umZKGBi_8Ww

You post publicly as your business when you reply to reviews. Replies may not appear across Google immediately. However, reviewers will get a notification when you reply to their review. After they get the notification, they have a chance to read your reply and update their review.

Find review replies

1. When you reply to a review, your response appears below your customer's review on Google Search and Maps under the label "Response from the owner."
2. People can find both the customer review and your response when they find your reviews on Google.

Reply to reviews on Google My Business (Computer)

1. On your computer, with the account you used to sign up, sign in to Google My Business.
2. Choose a location:

For multiple locations: In the left menu, click Manage reviews. Then, use the drop-down menu to choose a location group.

This feature isn't available for organization accounts.

For a single location: Open the location you'd like to manage. In the left menu, click Reviews.

1. Click Reply.
2. Write a response and click Post reply.

Reply to reviews from Google Search or Maps

1. On your computer, go to Google Maps or use Google Search.
2. In the top right, click your Account Circle ??Your Business Profile.
3. Click Reviews.
4. Next to the review, you’d like to reply to, click Reply.

Reply to reviews on Google My Business (Android)

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google My Business app.
2. Tap Customers > Reviews.
3. Tap the review to respond to.
4. Write a response and tap Send.

Reply to reviews from Google Search or Maps

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app or use Google Search.
2. You can open your Business Profile in 2 ways:

????????Google Maps: In the top right, tap Account Circle>Your Business Profile.

????????Google Search: Enter your business name in the search bar.

1. Tap Reviews.
2. For the review you'd like to reply to, tap Reply.

????????Edit your reply: Tap More : >?Edit.

????????Delete your reply: Tap More : > Delete.

????????Report an inappropriate review: Tap More : > Report.

Reply to reviews on Google My Business (iPhone & iPad)

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google My Business app.
2. In the "Reviews" section, tap Manage reviews.
3. Tap the review you want to reply to.
4. Write a response and tap Send >.

Reply to reviews from Google Search or Maps

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app or use Google Search.
2. You can open your Business Profile in 2 ways:

????????Google Maps: In the top right, tap Account Circle > Your Business Profile.

????????Google Search: Enter your business name in the search bar.

1. Tap Reviews.
2. For the review you'd like to reply to, tap Reply.

????????Edit your reply: Tap More :?>?Edit.

????????Delete your reply: Tap More :?>?Delete.

????????Report an inappropriate review: Tap More :?>?Report.

How to add a rating?

Computer

Google uses automated spam detection measures to remove reviews that are probably spam.

1. On your computer, open Google Maps and make sure you're signed in.
2. Search for a place.
3. On the left, scroll down and click Write a review.
4. In the window that appears, click the stars to score the place. You can also write a review.

Your review will be visible in Google Maps until you take it down. After your review is published, you can edit what you wrote, or change the rating and pictures you included.

Android

Reviews are automatically processed to find inappropriate content (such as obscene, offensive, or meaningless language). They’re also automatically scanned for spam (like messages sent by bots or repeated content posted multiple times or from multiple accounts).

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app.
2. Search for a place or tap it on the map.
3. At the bottom, tap the place's name or address.
4. At the top, tap Reviews.
5. Scroll down until you see 5 empty stars.
6. Tap the stars to score the place. You can also write a review.

iPhone & iPad

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app.
2. Search for a place or tap it on the map.
3. At the bottom, tap the place's name or address.
4. Scroll down until you see 5 empty stars.
5. Tap the stars to score the place. You can also write a review.

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